Spontaneous activation of heat shock protein gene transcription in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of individuals with active systemic lupus erythematosus.

In the present study, we show the spontaneous elevation of the transcription of heat shock protein (hsp 70) gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of individuals with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by nuclear run-on transcription assay. For quantification analysis of hsp 70 gene transcription, we first found more than ten times of the enhanced transcription of hsp 70 gene in PBMC of individuals with active SLE, as compared to normal healthy subjects or patients with bronchial asthma as controls. Our observation suggests that heat shock proteins may be produced during an active immune response in individuals with active systemic lupus erythematosus and is involved in lupus-related change of possible essential function in PBMC.